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Wheel Autopilot Owners

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mday
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197 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/30/2005 : 01:53:22

I've noticed a number of people on this forum mentioning they have autopilots. I'd like to hear about any experience with wheel autopilots other than the Raymarine products.

Thanks, Max

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2005 : 19:58:13

ME TOO!!! Come on guys someone with a wheel must have an autopilot other than the 1st, 2nd and 3rd mates.

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sterngucker
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USA
169 Posts

Response Posted - 10/06/2005 : 20:24:47

I have become deeply attached to my Simrad WP32. Last Thursday night (Friday morning?) I left San Pedro around one o'clock in the morning and motored/ sailed/ motored to Two Harbors at Catalina. It was my first night sail on C Angel. It was great! The ocean was very smooth and the stars shown bright all night long.
The autopilot kept me going straight as an arrow and allowed me to attend to various tasks to stay alert, stretch out, fiddle with the sails, whatever. This is my third outing with the autopilot and it has performed very well. Below, I have included exerpts from a recent email exchange with a S2 sailor friend. Excuse my laziness but it includes alot of info.

P.S. Still haven't got installation photos on the website, but will update this thread when I do.
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Hi Ken,
Work has been keeping me really busy lately. I did get the boat in the water at Marina Del Rey over Labor Day weekend, and I am hoping to take some time off later this week and trailer down to San Pedro to head over to Catalina for the Buccaneer Day festivities.
I have used the Simrad wheel pilot for two outings now and I'm very pleased with it. It handled following seas very well and I'm sure there were a few times I had some strong weather helm while working the the sail trim. It is absolutely the best upgrade of all. It is really great to have it steer while I work the sheets. The autopilot is wired to my handheld GPS which feeds it cross track error. This corrects for leeway and current. I believe it is built a little sturdier than the Raymarine pilot but as you pointed out, does not have a display. The electronic compass is built to the unit so if you don't use the handheld you only have to provide power to the unit. Simplifies installation a little. My wheel is on the small side so the control pad sticks out a little on the starboard side but hasn't been a problem. I will post pictures on my website next week. Hope this helps.

Fair winds!
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Subject: FW: Autopilot

Charlie,

We have been planning to go to Catalina too, but I think we will get an autopilot installed first! Do you have the WP32? I saw it on sale on the internet for about $750 including a remote control, but not a wireless one.

Ken
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Yeah, it's the WP32. Probably overkill on my boat as I have seen installations of this unit on Hunter 36s. After reading some discussions between the WP32 and AH4000 and opening boxes, with the help of the salesperson of course, comparing size and construction at West Marine, I thought WP32 might be more durable. I had asked the salesguy if the plastic tabs that hold three wheel spokes on the Raymarine ST4000 are prone to breaking. He told me that they hand out new ones all the time for no charge. I didn't want to be frequently replacing them, free or not. The Simrad only mounts to one spoke of the wheel. It uses bolts to hug the spoke with a plastic emblem cap.

The WP32 seems more robust and has more metal parts. The mounting is solid using a 4" dia. rubber pipe coupling, a technique I picked up on the internet. One wire from the unit was ran down the pedestal guard into the aft cabin where it connects to a junction box supplied with it. The junction box connects that cable to power, the GPS, and the wired remote (no wireless) . One caveat, they left out in the instructions, is the fact that you have to wire another power cable to the second junction for the remote.

On the internet I found the Simrad slightly cheaper than the Raymarine. I originally planned to buy the Raymarine and use my Raytheon employee discount but the internet prices were cheaper! I had to call Simrad customer service a few times. One call was about the remote power wiring and one call each for a replacement plastic emblem cap that got bent and a plastic remote cradle to hold the remote that didn't come in the original box. In each case I had both items on my doorstep in two days. Really good customer service. I will take some detailed pictures of the installation this weekend.

I plan to continue rigorous testing this weekend and check out the remote now that it's wired up. It has enough cord that I could probably steer from the bow. It's a tough job but somebody...

One bonus with the Raymarine is the heading display, which also entails more wiring and mountings. For my purposes the compass and GPS are good enough. Plus, it would be easy to transfer the WP32 autopilot to another boat. Hope this helps.

Charlie

---------------------------------------------

Edited by - on

welshoff
Captain

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USA
253 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2005 : 10:33:52

I am in the process of installing a Simrad WP 30 on my boat.

I bought the unit used at a really good price (should have known better!). I installed it on the boat and ran a wire to the fuse panel to test it out (since it was used). When it powered up the motor started running and would not stop - it definately wasn't working correctly. I looked inside of the control pad and the circuit board had some bad looking black areas around some of the components (fried board). Thinking the worst, I called Simrad (first time I didn't have the serial number with me). It was going to be a $350.00 problem. I called them back later in the day with the serial number. It turned out the unit was only one year old (they come with a two year warranty). At that point Simrad said this would be a warranty repair - even though I wasn't the original owner. I got a RA # and shipped it to Simrad.

Simrad called two days ago and confirmed the circuit board was bad. They were going to repair that day and ship back to me at no cost. I still haven't got to try out the unit on the boat. But at this point and time I would say Simrad has outstanding customer service.

I will complete the installation when I receive it and post pictures on the site. Hopefully I will get it today and have a chance to install and try it out this weekend. Note: the installation was straight forward and took less than an hour to put the unit on the pedistal (it helps to have a cordless drill/screwdriver to take up the slack on the pedistal clamps). I still need to finish the wiring, but would estimate another hour to complete this task - Run it down the pedistal and over to the fuse panel.

Edited by - on

mday
Navigator

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197 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2005 : 01:49:00

Thanks Charlie and Wil! This is exactly the info I was looking for.

Wil, can you tell us where you had to send the WP30 for repair? Was it in the USA? BTW, my Raymarine ST4000+ failed the same way -- motor started running when turned on and wouldn't stop. I had to disconnect power. Other problems have followed, and it's time for a new direction.

Max

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2005 : 08:41:57

I've the ST4000. It suffered infant mortality and was replaced free. The second unit has operated flawlessly for six summer cruises. I've had no problem swith the mounts but I do keep a cover over the wheel which may prevent UV damage to the plastic parts.

I agree with the thought that avoiding a bulk head installation is a good thing as the compass course display is of little value. However, the control head can be used to display other data and I use it to display the cross track error from the gps, which turns out to be super because the favorite gps screen is the compass rose which doesn't include cross track error data.

Unless using a chartplotter, cross track error display is crucial to prudent navigation where hazards are near. Newer gps units may have screen options for a compass rose that include cross track error.

Edited by - on

welshoff
Captain

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USA
253 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2005 : 11:07:05

Max,
I sent my WP30 to the Lynnwood, WA office for repairs. Simrad's web site shows two different repair facilities (www.simradusa.com). I am from the NW and this was closest for me. The web site shows a place in Florida as well. Note: the web site directs you to call the Lynnwood office to get a RA# prior to sending the equipent in for repair.

FYI - I chose this wheel pilot because I read some good reviews when searching the web. I also liked having all the components in one package - don't have to mount items separately. I was going to get the WP10 because I didn't think I would use the NEMA capability. But, I found this WP30 used and went with it. I will at some point connect up to my GPS now that I have the option. I still haven't got it installed for a sea trial. I will post results at some point when I can get time to work on the boat.

Edited by - on

welshoff
Captain

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USA
253 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2005 : 11:11:59

One more thought - I read in another post on the web where a guy installed the Simrad Badge at the bottom of the wheel instead of the top. He said it reduced torque on the pedistal mount. The Simrad badge is the mechanical connection between the wheel pilot and the wheel. It makes sense as the would put the power to the wheel closer to the motor.

I am going to install it as directed by the manual first. I may try this modification later down the road. I will post some sea trials if I can ever get time to go out to the boat.

Edited by - on

welshoff
Captain

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USA
253 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2005 : 12:43:55

I finished the install yesterday. Ran the electrical down the pedistal and routed it through the stern area, down the starboard side to the fuse panel. I connected it to bottom accessory switch at the fuse panel. My pedistal had a manufacturers hole provided on the starboard side - worked out great to route the wire (applied caulk to seal). I sent a rope down the pedistal first to pull the wiring down through the pedistal. Had to remove a small access panel at rear berth on the starbord side to provide access to run wiring. All went well took about an hour to make up all the connections.

I gave it a short sea trial and it held course well under power. I didn't get to sail with it so nothing to report. The only thing to note is it makes course adjustments in small bursts/movements. I didn't anticipate this. Is this typical for a wheel pilot? My other sailboat had a an old Tillermaster and it's movements were smooth not jerky. Either way I don't think this will effect my new found freedom from the helm. This will be a very nice addition for my short handed sailing. I can't wait to get some time on the water to run it through it's paces.

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1768 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2005 : 13:22:33

... The only thing to note is it makes course adjustments in small bursts/movements. I didn't anticipate this. Is this typical for a wheel pilot? - Wil 

Hi Wil,

I spent a week on my best friend's Hunter 37.5 this past June, and his wheel autopilot seemed to do the same thing ... maybe that's typical ...

Please let us know what you think of your autopilot after you give it a workout ... I'm considering adding one to my wheel one of these days ... thanks!

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